Indian Athlete Recalls Her Four Olympic Journeys: From 1984 to 1996

I have had the privilege of participating in four consecutive Olympic Games, starting with the 1984 Los Angeles Games and ending with the 1996 Atlanta Games. It’s not an easy feat for any woman to compete in four back-to-back Olympics, especially in a time when facilities were not as advanced and qualifying standards were stringent. Looking back, the 1984 Games hold a special place in my heart as it was my maiden Olympic experience. However, the 1988 Games in Seoul were equally memorable for various reasons. We had previously visited the Seoul Sports Complex for the 1986 Asian Games, so the venue wasn’t entirely new to us. In terms of facilities and the overall aura, the 1988 Olympics surpassed the 1986 Asian Games.

I still vividly recall my experiences at the ’84 and ’88 Olympic Games. Both events left us mesmerized by the weight training facilities and the beauty parlours. One particular incident in Seoul stands out. After tasting the bland food at the dining hall, my fellow Indian competitor, Mercy Kuttan, and I decided to spice things up by adding some spices to our meals. Everyone was amused by our attempt to make the food tastier. It was a fun moment, and despite the initial blandness, the food was overall good.

During those Games, we had the opportunity to meet renowned athletes like Carl Lewis and Ben Johnson. At that time, capturing photographs was not as easy as it is today. We relied mostly on the Press photographers to document those moments. It was also heartwarming to meet Lim Chun-ae, the athlete who won gold in the 1986 Asian Games after I was disqualified from the 800m race for an early lane change. Lim’s parents were present at the 1988 Olympics, and we took photographs with them. It was a truly pleasant experience.

While we indulged in a fair amount of shopping during the 1986 Asian Games, we kept our shopping spree relatively low-key at the 1988 Olympics. However, we did make time to watch several movies. On the track, I finished 18th in the 800m heats and unfortunately lost early in the heats of the women’s 4x400m relay. Despite these results, I’m happy to say that I continuously improved my timings at every Olympic Games. The bond I share with my relay teammates, Mercy, Vandana Rao, and Vandana Shanbhag, is something I will cherish forever. We enjoyed our moments together, and I remain in touch with them even today. Recently, I sent my birthday wishes to P.T. Usha, who competed in the 400mH at the ’88 Games.

Being a woman athlete in those times presented unique challenges. I was apprehensive about attending the National camps alone. Every time there was a camp in Patiala, my parents would inquire with other athletes’ families to find someone who could accompany me. Thankfully, things have changed for the better since then. One particular incident during the 1985 World Indoor Games in Paris stands out. Only high jumper N. Annavi and I were selected from India. The climate was exceptionally cold. I was accommodated in a ladies’ hostel while Annavi stayed far away from me. I had to train alone, which, while safe, was not easy at all.

After marrying swimmer Wilson Cherian in 1988, I often traveled with him. There were times when he joined me at the National camp. Post marriage and motherhood, I continued my athletic journey, becoming the National champion and participating in two more Olympic Games, in 1992 and 1996. I am deeply delighted to see javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra win gold at the Tokyo Olympics and his potential for another gold in Paris. Our relay runners, both men and women, are performing well. Ultimately, success hinges on the day’s performance. I remain hopeful and confident that the Indian athletics contingent will achieve even greater heights in Paris.

For me, participating in the Games was the ultimate dream, a dream that everyone aspires to. However, only a select few get to live that dream, and I am among the fortunate ones. As a woman and an athlete, I encountered my share of difficulties and struggles on my journey to fulfill my Olympic dreams. But in the end, it was all worth the effort.

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